Anti-liberation forces trying to undermine 1971, exaggerate July Uprising: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that anti-liberation forces are attempting to undermine the spirit of 1971 while exaggerating the July Uprising of 2024.

"There's a rise in anti-liberation forces. Those who opposed independence in 1971 now want to undermine that year. They only want to exaggerate the July Uprising of 2024," he said, without mentioning any names, today (1 November) at an event of freedom fighters in Dhaka.

Fakhrul said he did not want to create any division over the July Uprising, which ousted the Awami League government through a mass movement, but alleged that "some forces and some people very deliberately want to create divisions here. They want to erase 1971."

"Their goal is clear. They want to deny 1971 and reject the independent sovereign state declared through our leader Ziaur Rahman. I want to make it very clear — there is no way to erase 1971, because that is our birth address," he added.

Emphasising that 1971 represents the nation's existence, identity, and distinctiveness, he said, "The declaration of independence on that day marks our emergence as a new nation."

Fakhrul also noted what he called a "much higher rise in all anti-liberation forces", urging people to recall their past roles. "I will not name anyone, but remember your role in 1971," he said.

"Let me make it clear — your actions do not affect me personally. You joined hands with those who were killing us, you killed the people of this country, and many of our great intellectuals were killed and buried in mass graves. We have not forgotten," he said in a vague reference to Jamaat-e-Islami.

Addressing the Indian government, Fakhrul said, "Return Hasina to Bangladesh and make her face the law. Do not take a stance against the people of Bangladesh. They will not accept that."

He said the BNP has always been an election-oriented party. "After the July Uprising, we demanded elections within three months. The 'evil forces' now rising would not have had a chance if polls were held."

Fakhrul alleged that the National Consensus Commission's 'note of dissent' was ignored and new proposals were placed. "This is unjust and a betrayal of the people," he said.

He added, "As a responsible political party, we only held a press conference. We did not go to the streets or lay siege to the chief adviser's house or the Election Commission. But one party is pressing the government to accept only their demands. We want a solution through dialogue."

Fakhrul said the chief adviser had warned of a 'possible attack' but did not specify where it might come from or who might carry it out. "This should have been clarified to the nation. The people are ready to resist any attack," he further added.